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The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center's Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Program is world-renowned for its expertise in bone marrow transplantation to treat a wide variety of hematological malignancies and other blood dyscrasias (see "Conditions we treat", below). We also conduct leading-edge translational research to develop innovative strategies for improving the outcomes of these transplants.

Conditions we treat:

Acute Leukemia (AML, ALL)

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)

Adult Neuroblastoma

Amyloidosis

Aplastic Anemia

Chronic Leukemia (CML, CLL)

Congenital Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL)

Multiple Myeloma

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Myeloproliferative Disorders

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)

Primary CNS Lymphoma

Relapsed Germ Cell Tumor

Our program is advancing clinical care and research in two main areas:

Using drugs that reduce graft vs. host disease, leading to improved safety and effectiveness of BMT as a cancer-fighting therapy

Reduced Intensity Transplants—in which chemotherapy and radiation are administered in lower, less toxic doses before the transplant—that lessen the toxicities of the transplant, thereby permitting the transplantation of older patients and patients who have co-morbid illnesses

Use of transplantation earlier in the course of therapy

A therapy pioneered by our program for patients with multiple myeloma who have renal failure: a kidney transplant is conducted at the same time as the bone marrow transplant, which provides treatment of the myeloma and increases the likelihood of acceptance of the kidney without the use of immunosuppressive drugs

Making Transplant More Widely AvailableBecause a perfectly matched related donor is often not an option for patients, our program is advancing strategies that reduce the complications of genetically mismatched donor transplants. One of these strategies involves creating “chimeras” or a mix of the donor’s and the patient’s blood cells. This technique may lessen the complication of graft versus host disease and can also be used to “trick” the patient’s immune system into thinking it is the donor’s, thereby allowing for acceptance of a donor organ without the need for immunosuppressive drugs.

Developing Better Therapies through ResearchThe Bone Marrow Transplant Program benefits from a close association with the Transplant Biology Research Center. We are dedicated to understanding the basic immunologic mechanisms through which specific tolerance can be induced for organ transplants by performing combined bone marrow and organ transplants. We are also conducting investigations into the mechanism of the graft versus tumor effect of BMT and how it can be separated from graft versus host disease.

Bone Marrow Transplant Program at Mass General Hospital

Support and Wellness

Case Management

As a member of the patient’s multidisciplinary treatment team, the case manager communications frequently with patients and their families and acts as a liaison between patients and providers and handles all reimbursement issues. The case manager facilitates the patient’s care in the acute phase and ensures that the patient has whatever support services are needed. As a result, patients receive the highest quality, most cost-effective care possible.

Parenting At A Challenging Time (PACT)

This is a parenting support program for patients diagnosed with life-threatening cancer. One of the few programs in the country of its kind, it features child psychiatrists and psychologists who are available on both an inpatient and outpatient basis to address parent’s questions and help them to understand how children view medical illness.

The Katherine A. Gallagher Integrative Therapies Program focuses on improving the quality of life and well-being of Cancer Center patients, their families and friends through free wellness services such as acupuncture and yoga. These services help you take care of your whole self — mind, body and spirit.

The Maxwell V. Blum Cancer Resource Center is a program that offers a range of support resources around the Cancer Center. The center has an ongoing mission to make support services, as well as respite and community-building areas, more accessible to patients and families throughout the Cancer Center.

Illuminations is a rotating art exhibit displayed in the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The program aims to enlighten and encourage patients and their loved ones by enhancing our environment of care.

A home infusion pump may be part of your treatment plan. In some cases, you may have the option for disconnecting the chemotherapy from home. If this option applies to you, and you would prefer to disconnect from home, this instructional video will reinforce the teaching provided to you by your nurse in the Mass General cancer Center

On June 8, the Bangladesh Minister of Health and Family Welfare, A. F. M. Ruhal Haque, MBBS, met with MGH staff members to discuss longstanding collaborations between Bangladesh health care services and various MGH departments.

The Katherine A. Gallagher Integrative Therapies Program focuses on improving the quality of life and well-being of Cancer Center patients, their families and friends through free wellness services such as acupuncture and yoga. These services help you take care of your whole self — mind, body and spirit.

The Maxwell V. Blum Cancer Resource Center is a program that offers a range of support resources around the Cancer Center. The center has an ongoing mission to make support services, as well as respite and community-building areas, more accessible to patients and families throughout the Cancer Center.

Illuminations is a rotating art exhibit displayed in the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center. The program aims to enlighten and encourage patients and their loved ones by enhancing our environment of care.

A home infusion pump may be part of your treatment plan. In some cases, you may have the option for disconnecting the chemotherapy from home. If this option applies to you, and you would prefer to disconnect from home, this instructional video will reinforce the teaching provided to you by your nurse in the Mass General cancer Center